E507 Hydrochloric Acid – Food Additive
E507 is the EU food additive code for hydrochloric acid, a strong inorganic acid used as an acidity regulator and pH-control agent in food manufacturing.
Things worth knowing about "E507"
E507 is the EU food additive code for hydrochloric acid, a strong inorganic acid used as an acidity regulator and pH-control agent in food manufacturing.
What is E507?
E507 is the European Union designation for hydrochloric acid (chemical formula: HCl), an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas. In the food industry, it is approved under EU additive number E507 and is primarily used as an acidity regulator and pH-control agent. Hydrochloric acid is one of the strongest inorganic acids and also occurs naturally in the human stomach as gastric acid, where it plays a key role in digestion.
Chemical Properties
Hydrochloric acid is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a pungent odor. It consists of water with dissolved hydrogen chloride (HCl). In food applications, only food-grade, highly purified solutions are used, subject to strict quality regulations. The pH of concentrated hydrochloric acid falls well below 1, making it a highly effective acidifying agent.
Uses in the Food Industry
E507 serves several technological functions in food production:
- pH regulation: Adjusting the acidity of foods and beverages to a desired level.
- Starch hydrolysis: Used in the production of glucose syrup from starch.
- Gelatin production: Applied during extraction of gelatin from animal raw materials.
- Cheese manufacturing: Used in certain cheese processes for acidification.
- Equipment cleaning and processing: Treatment of food processing surfaces and machinery.
Safety and Tolerability
Within the European Union, E507 is authorized under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed hydrochloric acid as safe when used in permitted quantities and for approved applications. Since hydrochloric acid is fully neutralized or diluted during processing, no adverse effects on consumers are expected. The human body naturally produces hydrochloric acid in the stomach as gastric acid, making this substance physiologically well understood.
Labeling and Regulation
Foods to which E507 has been added as an additive must declare it in the ingredient list either as E507 or by its full name hydrochloric acid, in accordance with EU food law. In many applications, however, E507 qualifies as a processing aid and may not need to appear on the label if it no longer performs a technological function in the final product.
Handling and Safety Notes
In industrial settings, concentrated hydrochloric acid is a corrosive and hazardous substance requiring strict safety precautions. Direct skin contact or inhalation of fumes can cause chemical burns. In food production, only highly diluted, food-grade solutions are used, applied under careful dosage control.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of hydrochloric acid (E 507) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2018.
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
- Belitz, H.-D.; Grosch, W.; Schieberle, P.: Food Chemistry. Springer, 4th edition, 2009.
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